Bills Edge Out Jets in Flag-Heavy Monday Night Showdown, 23-20

In a penalty-filled Monday Night Football clash, the Buffalo Bills secured a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the New York Jets. The game, marked by 22 accepted penalties totaling 204 yards, showcased missed opportunities, missed kicks, and last-minute drama.

The Bills' win pushed them to a 4-2 record, while the Jets dropped to 2-4 in their first game under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, with Todd Downing handling play-calling duties. The Jets will lament their missed chances, particularly in the second half, where Greg Zuerlein missed two field goals off the left upright from 32 and 43 yards. Despite four red-zone opportunities, the Jets only managed one touchdown, contributing to a total of 13 points in those critical situations.

Buffalo's defense came through in the clutch. With less than two minutes remaining, Taylor Rapp and Taron Johnson made crucial back-to-back plays to halt the Jets' final drive. Rapp knocked the ball free from Jeremy Ruckert on second-and-16, and Johnson, playing in his first game back from a forearm injury, made a game-saving interception by ripping the ball away from Mike Williams at the Buffalo 18-yard line.

Josh Allen led the Bills with three first-half touchdowns—two through the air and one on the ground. He connected with Mack Hollins for an 8-yard score and Dawson Knox for a 12-yard touchdown, while also running in a 1-yard touchdown. Allen finished the night 19-of-25 for 215 yards. Running back Ray Davis, stepping in for the injured James Cook, racked up 152 total yards on 23 touches.

Though the Bills’ second-half scoring was limited to a 22-yard Tyler Bass field goal, Bass also missed a 47-yard attempt and a PAT. Buffalo held a 20-10 lead until the final play of the first half, when Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary found Allen Lazard for a stunning 52-yard touchdown, bringing the Jets back into contention. Zuerlein later tied the game with a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter, but the Jets couldn’t capitalize further.

Rodgers finished 23-of-35 for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He hit Garrett Wilson for a 5-yard touchdown, with Wilson amassing 107 yards on eight catches. Lazard had a standout performance as well, hauling in six passes for 114 yards.

However, the Jets' woes extended beyond the missed field goals, as they lost key defensive players during the game. Safety Chuck Clark left with an ankle injury, replaced by Ashtyn Davis, while cornerback D.J. Reed exited with a groin injury, giving way to Brandin Echols.

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